Heber City Justice Court Judge Randy Birch did not seek retention in the upcoming general election. Now, Heber City must evaluate how to proceed. 

There are two options. 

Heber City could enter into an interlocal agreement with Wasatch County to merge the two justice courts or continue operating the Heber City Justice Court independently, while partnering with the Administrative Office of the Courts to recruit and nominate a new judge. 

Consolidating the local justice courts requires formal approval from the Utah Judicial Council and an interlocal agreement between Heber City and Wasatch County.

Wasatch County Clerk-Auditor Joey Granger confirmed with Heber City that the county can resolve administrative logistics to meet a Dec. 31 consolidation deadline. 

Heber City Manager Matt Brower said there are benefits to consolidating the courts: first, 50% of Heber City Justice Court defendants do not live in the city limits. 

Courtroom and office spaces can be repurposed. Proximity of the courts to Heber City and Wasatch County residents is not a concern. Bailiff staff can be reassigned to other duties. And court operations would likely be expanded to pick up a new caseload, Brower said. 

That’s not to mention that courts are intended to be separate from “political influence.”

“Therefore, the city does not lose any control because you never really had it,” Brower said. 

Colette Ryan, a court supervisor at the Wasatch County Justice Court, said it would be a “good thing” to consolidate. 

“Just for the fact of the public being easier to access us,” Ryan said. “I am sure they hear the same thing we do is what’s the difference with the courts?”

Utah’s justice court system means that courts are established independently by counties and municipalities. The total number of justice courts has been consolidated over time, dropping from a high of 180 to 104 currently active courts.

St. George partners with Washington County to operate its justice system. Parowan partners with Iron County to do the same. 

Justice courts are responsible for handling certain misdemeanors, ordinance violations, traffic infractions and small dispute claims. In 2025, there were 2,243 cases in Heber City and 3,644 cases in Wasatch County. 

Birch presides in Heber City until Dec. 31, and the court operates with a core staff of two and one prosecutor. 

Brower said that, even if Heber City consolidates, the municipality could choose to revert to an independent process in the future. 

The Heber City Council moved to allow staff to begin the consolidation process on Tuesday. 

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